Steve's Blog
Thursday September 25, 2008

Hi everyone

There's quite a lot going on these days!

Willie & Lobo begat Willie & The Locos, Friday September 26th 8pm at St. James Hall, 3214 West 10th Avenue

It looks like winter is approaching, so what better way to stave off the winter doldrums than coming to hear some tropical music at the Rogue? Tomorrow night we have Mexican / African / Gypsy Boogaloo Music with Willie & Lobo fiddler Willie Royal and his new band, The Locos. Fresh from a sold-out run through the Pacific Northwest and on to Penticton's Dream Cafe and other points in the Okanagan, Willie and the boys play St. James Hall tomorrow night. Acoustic guitar wizard Bill MacPherson was born and raised in Africa. He also plays in a band called Native Vibe with 6-string bassist Dave Curtis. The Locos quartet is rounded out by percussionist Danny Campbell. We saw a sneak preview of the show on DVD and have to say that this is one very hot band! The music incorporates a lot of the Willie & Lobo repertoire - gypsy fiddle and Spanish guitar - but with a fuller sound. They also play everything from bluegrass to African music and world beat jazz - almost all of it original material.

Some of you will recall hot nights in San Miguel de Allende near Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where Willie & lobo first made a name for themselves. Many of you will remember hot nights at the WISE Hall and more recently St. James Hall where the duo held court to packed houses and gave everyone that happy glazed trippy look as they swayed and grooved to the sounds of fiddle and guitar - and smiled at Willie's facial expressions as he conjured magical notes from his violin. You can relive those moments and take it to the next level with this fine band tomorrow night. www.willieandlobo.com

Coming to shows at the Rogue is a unique experience. For over 20 years we have brought you some of the very best and most creative and expressive musicians on the planet. To venues where you can get really close to the artists, and meet them after the show. Where you can enjoy a drink and even bring the whole family - much cheaper than hiring a sitter. Where you can dance, or sit, or sway as the music transports you to exotic places where only the best music can take you. With friendly volunteers working hard to ensure your comfort and a great concert experience.

We have a busy program in October. We know that you can't make it to all the shows. However, we ask you to take a chance on nights like this. We need your support. We need you to help us to spread the word to your friends and neighbours. This concert series is unique - not just in Vancouver, but in Canada, and beyond. You won't find music as diverse or consistently exciting anywhere else. Nobody cares about the quality of your musical experience more than the Rogue Folk volunteers and staff.

Tickets are available at Highlife Records, Rufus' Guitar Shop, and on line. You can also buy tickets at the door. Concert details.

Radio Waves

You can tune in to Radio Rogue at any time and hear music by all our upcoming performers - plus a fabulous mix of new releases and old favourites - on your computer. Just go to our home page and follow the links to Radio Rogue.

Please join me on The Edge On Folk this Saturday from 8am to noon on CiTR fm 101.9 (cable fm 101.9, or live on the web on www.citr.ca) I'll have new music by English songwriter Jez Lowe (coming to the Rogue next Friday), Tim Readman (who is opening for Jez), Michael Jerome Browne (who brings his new acoustic Rhythm & blues combo to St. James on Sunday October 5th), Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet (playing St, James on October 7th), Vancouver's kings of harmony The Breakmen (launching a new CD at the Rogue on October 10th), The Duhks (playing The Biltmore Cabaret on Sept 30th), and much more. New CDs arrived this past week by the likes of Joan Baez (produced by Steve Earle), Lila Downs, The Infamous Stringdusters, Afrissippi, Dar Williams, Bellowhead, Niyaz (Iran), Chiwoniso (Zimbabwe) and there'll be plenty of old favourites too.

I'll be hosting Pacific Pickin' on CiTR this coming Tuesday from 6am to 8:00, followed by Give 'Em The Boot (Italian and Scandinavian music) from 8:00 to 9:30am. Andrea & Arthur Berman are attending the IBMA Awards in Nashville and Linda Bull is off to Europe for a few weeks to acquire more music! Tune in and give me some support as I delve into areas of unexplored musical territory! That's on CiTR fm 101.9 and www.citr.ca.

You can download Podcasts of all these shows, by the way.

An even sweeter deal on the Italian Concert of the Year!

Fiamma Fumana return to Vancouver next Wednesday October 1st for a concert at the Italian Cultural Centre (12th and Slocan, near Nanaimo St.) They are accompanying the incredible Coro Mondine di Novi - the rice-weeders choir from Northern Italy's Emilia Romagna region, whose songs inspired Fiamma Fumana to bring their music into the 21st century. Some of the women in the choir are now in their 80s, but their youthful exuberance is infectious and unparalleled. More info on www.caravanbc.com.

Rogue Folk members can now receive a whopping $7 discount on tickets at the door. Just bring your membership card. If you buy tickets in advance (a good idea!) you can get the $7 rebate at the door.

Film Festival Highlights

CiTR presents : Faubourg Treme: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans. Faubourg Tremé (also known as the Sixth Ward) is one of New Orleans' must venerable - and now decrepit - neighbourhoods, the place credited with giving birth to both the Civil Rights' Movement and jazz music. Beginning prior to Katrina and continuing post disaster, Dawn Logsdon and Lolis Eric Elie provide a fascinating history of this storied borough.

Béla Fleck (of the Sparrow Quartet) will be in town on October 6th to present his new film Throw Down Your Heart. This Buena Vista Social Club of African music features virtuoso banjo player Béla Fleck's journey to Uganda, Tanzania, Gambia and Mali to jam with superb musicians in their village settings. In Sascha Paladino's delightful film, the phrase "dueling banjos" doesn't even begin to sum up the pure joy of watching these musicians in action.

There are also films about Youssou N'dour, Celia Cruz, Tango music, and all sorts of other treasures. Visit www.viff.org for details.

Have a great weekend, everyone! Hope to see you tomorrow night at the Rogue for Willie & Lobo / Locos

Steve